Let’s Get This Party Started And Keep It Going All Winter.
I love a good excuse to dress up, but I don’t love buying clothes in December that I won’t want to wear in January. For this year’s Holiday Capsule Wardrobe, I’m going for a little less tinsel and a lot more outfits you can wear long after the decorations come down.
Your Holiday Calendar Is Full. Your Closet Doesn’t Have to Be.
Not every invitation calls for sequins and stilettos, but that doesn’t mean you want to show up looking like you just ran to Target for the tenth time that week.
I made you something! Consider it an early Christmas gift: a free 10-piece Holiday Capsule Wardrobe and outfit planner. Some of these looks are festive, some are downright fancy, and plenty are outfits you’ll want to wear on an ordinary Tuesday at Target.
Stick to my shopping list and save the outfit ideas. You’ll have one ready for just about anything on your calendar without buying a new one for every invitation.
Now let’s get this party started!
YOUR HOLIDAY CAPSULE CHECKLIST
A Little Less Tinsel. A Lot More Outfits.
☐ 1. Printed Blouse
☐ 2. Dark Wash Bootcut Jeans
☐ 3. Black Stirrup Leggings
☐ 4. Oversized Blazer
☐ 5. Black Knit Vest
☐ 6. Sheer Shirt
☐ 7. Black Leather Skirt
☐ 8. Black Corduroys
☐ 9. Tall Boots
This is the inspiration piece for the entire capsule. Look for moody florals, plaids, and paisleys in rich earth tones and jewel tones. Choose a print that makes your favorite jeans feel festive but looks just as good layered under the knit vest or oversized blazer for work.
Scroll through my top picks from Ralph Lauren, Veronica Beard, and more.
Dark wash, non-distressed bootcut jeans are the most flattering style you can wear with boots and heels this winter. The darker denim looks dressier for the holidays and pairs beautifully with all the rich earth tones and jewel tones in this capsule.
Unlike wide-leg or exaggerated flare jeans, a classic bootcut with a leg opening under 20 inches won’t swallow up your stilettos or kitten heels.
A Few Fit Tips
If your legs are skinny, a classic bootcut with a leg opening under 20 inches looks the best. Anything wider and your legs can get lost in the flare.
If you don’t have a lot of curve in your hips, the trick is making your perceived waist look smaller to create the appearance of more curves. A higher rise helps exaggerate the difference in width between your perceived waist and hips.
If you have a smaller waist and fuller hips, a lower rise can help minimize the difference between the two. It can also reduce that annoying gap at the small of your back when your waist is much smaller than your hips.
Most women look best in a rise that stops right around their belly button.
Three Bootcut Jeans I’d Recommend
SPANX: Three fits designed for different proportions: Petite (10.75″ rise), Regular (11.25″ rise), and Tall (11.75″ rise). A 360-degree shaping panel that smooths your tummy. Use promo code JENNIFERXSPANX.
PAIGE: Their famous Transcend denim feels amazing on and comes in three inseams: Petite (30″), Regular (32″), and Long (34″). A beautiful option when you want the comfort of stretch denim without sacrificing that dressier dark wash.
PISTOLA: I love the slightly heavier weight of their denim. The Petite has an 11″ rise and 30″ inseam, while the Regular has an 11.25″ rise and 33″ inseam. This convertible style also looks great rolled up for a more casual outfit. Use promo code JEN15. I’m 5″4″ and have them on in a 25 regular.
Whoever said leggings can’t be pants never tried these. They’re back! Your sporty staple has evolved into a modern fashion flex. All the comfort of stretch pants with the confidence of staying current. They look great with ballet flats, classic pumps, or tucked into boots.
I don’t need another blazer, but after buying the brown one a few months ago and wearing it a ton, naturally I needed the black version. I usually splurge on blazers, but this one under $100 can hang with its more expensive cousins from Veronica Beard and Vince.
The slightly oversized fit and super soft, lightweight stretch crepe fabric won’t have you overheating. There’s plenty of room to layer over your printed blouse or knit vest, and I love how the relaxed shape looks with all the slimmer silhouettes in this capsule. Wear it to the office or your next holiday party. My favorite way to style it is belted with a big brooch.
A black knit vest is on my new wardrobe checklist and another one of my trademark Outfit Multipliers™. The knit style looks just as good buttoned up and worn as a top as it does layered over a printed blouse. Two completely different personalities. I have this $39.90 Organic cotton one with pretty braided trim . You can see it on me styled like a top and vest here. I also added this longer tailored knit style from Paige. It’s so flattering, especially as a top.
I love a skirt with boots, and a slim silhouette like this will never go out of style. Unlike most straight knit winter skirts, she won’t cling to every curve. Instead, she’ll enhance, slim, and shape your figure. her up with textured tights and stilettos or down with fleece-lined leggings and boots.
I’ve had my eye on this genuine leather skirt from A.L.C. for years. I’ve been wearing this surprisingly convincing vegan leather version from Amazon, which is such a steal at $38.99.
If I’m not wearing jeans this winter, I’ll be wearing these corduroys.Trust me, ladies, these are not the same corduroys we wore as kids. They’re super slimming, with a built-in shaping panel, and so much more comfortable than leather. Easy to dress down and a great alternative to velvet, which looks dated, or coated denim, which is so done. Use promo code JENNIFERXSPANX to save on your first order.
Winter layers can get so dark, heavy, and boring. A little sheer fabric adds playfulness to your party outfit without becoming a slave to sequins. Even an all-black outfit becomes more interesting with a sheer layer.
I prefer starchy organza over silky sheer fabrics because it adds shape and dimension. All these tops are Outfit Multipliers™. Change what’s underneath from a simple camisole to a bustier or bralette, and you’ve got a completely different look.
Isabel Marant, is that you? I have a little bit of a boot fetish, but this season I’m trying textures, exaggerated vamps, and slouchy silhouettes with a designer-inspired look. I’m also in love with the hybrid heel that looks like a block heel and a stiletto had a baby. For something more casual, you can’t go wrong with a Western heel, especially one like this with contrasting leather stitching like this that matches your skirt.
Watch Me
Cheat Sheet Every Outfit
